Thanks ITDog.. the original tank was knackered with multiple splits.. The second tank i got had a pin hole leak near the lower mount. I used a heat gun and some strips of plastic from the original tank and got it fixed. So far no leaks.
So today i took the white YZ for another blast. The clutch and tank etc.. all held up well. I had added some oil to the front forks because they felt soft on an earlier run. I also had wound up the shock spring and set the sag. The bike rode really well and felt brilliant through the whoops and sandy corners.
Something wasn't quite right with the engine though. It ran great at full throttle, but 1/4 to 3/4 it would run rough. When i pulled up, there was fuel pissing out the carb. Time to pack up again.
Pulled the carb at home. Float height perfect at 24mm. Slightly sticking needle and seat. I had a Keyster carb kit in the shed so i will swap out the parts.
One other major problem was the carby cap. It would drop down onto the threads of the carb body about 3/4 of the way and then finally tighter up with only 2 thereads to go. Obviously something worn out.
I found another 34mm VM in my parts bin, and it ended up being the body was knackered. So i swapped it out and now the cap and carb work perfectly together.
So, next step will be to clean everything up, check the specs and get it all back together.
Next test run in a few weeks. Still have to bolt the yellow YZ engine back together.
Just got and email back from Eric Gorr, who ported the cylinder. I gave him the yellow YZ carb specs and he said it sounds like the main is too lean (280). He said modern 125's are running up to 400 mains. He said try a minimum 310, and also richen the needle. I will get a 360 and 330 (i have a 310) and run it super rich to run it in, and then tune it backwards from there. Hopefully a richer bike and Prox piston and the bike will not nip up next time!!
Cheers,